Nike's ad has taken on new meaning for me of late; "Just do it!" runs through my mind like a mantra. Although my dreams have nothing to do with athletic shoes and little to do with athletics (unless you count the long list of ideas I have developed which revolve around my sons and their activities), I have spent a long time avoiding the one thing I've always wanted to do - write.
Writing has actually been a part of my work life for a very long time. I've written and edited in the business world. I've taught writing to high school students. I've written countless lesson plans, activities, etc. I have never tried to get any of my work published, until now.
Making the decision to write for a living was actually one of the most difficult obstacles I needed to overcome. ("Overcome" is probably too strong. I am still scared to death that I won't be able to pay my mortgage.) I never doubted my ability to write, but I did doubt my ability to write for a living. My former employer helped me make the decision by firing me. (They actually called it a reduction in force, or RIF for short.) After avoiding the application process for weeks, then staring at an online application for close to an hour, I finally had to come to terms with myself and my goals for the future.
While I love teaching, I am tired of the politics that accompany teaching. I can't face it any more. I need to pay my bills and be financially responsible, but part of raising my children involves being a role model. I don't want them to be afraid to take a risk that could help them realize their dreams because they watched their mother play it safe.
Having said that, I must admit that my new found bravery faltered when I wrote two checks totaling $1100.00 for two children to play travel soccer next year. Nevertheless, I developed a game face and hid my fears from everyone. I even fooled myself for a while. As the school year ended, my colleagues began asking me about my plans for the fall. I answered - with confidence that I only partially felt - that I planned to write. After repeating this statement to the tenth person, I began to feel somewhat guilty. After all, I was making it sound as if it were a done deal, when I really had barely started. I had a bunch of "how to" articles stacked in my home office that were conflicting and sometimes confusing. I had not even read some of the articles yet.
Many of my well wishers countered with questions that unintentionally poked holes in my game face. "Write what?" they asked. "For whom?" they asked. The answers to their questions involved explaining the vast quantities of research through which I had only recently begun to sift. I felt my courage failing because I could not adequately explain the process I was only beginning to understand myself. That insidious self-doubt began to erode my courage.
But I persevered. As I plodded through articles about query letters, marketing skills, and copyright I began to see opportunity in the mountains of material.
That opportunity belongs to the writer who can stick it out. As I delve into some of the markets listed online and read about their requirements, I now think: "I can do that!" A torrent of ideas spouts out of me as I work, as I sleep, as I drive car pool. I have several pieces started, a myriad of sticky notes hanging from shelves in my office, and a legal pad with several pages of notes. My game face is back and for the first time it is supported with real confidence.
Looking back on the those first weeks and months, I realize what I have accomplished. I have taken the first step - I made the decision to write for a living. I have learned that writing query letters is the standard and expected practice for pitching ideas to potential markets. I have learned what information should be included in a query letter. I have learned that Writer's Market is the best place to find those markets.
I am now taking the next step: I'm looking for appropriate markets and writing query letters to pitch my ideas. We'll see...
Michele R. Acosta is a writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit articles.TheWritingTutor.biz for more articles, writingeditingservice.TheWritingTutor. biz for professional writing and editing services, or TheWritingTutor.biz for other writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents.
Copyright (c) 2004-2005 The Writing Tutor & Michele R. Acosta. All rights reserved.
Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
What a wonderful resource the Internet is!Students find information to... Read More
Whether you are writing a magazine article, composing a press... Read More
Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts... Read More
So you want to learn to research well, and not... Read More
These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will... Read More
1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More
Have you ever wondered how you can adapt your screenplay... Read More
|| Graphology & Graphotherapy ||Everybody wants to know more about... Read More
It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More
Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact. It's... Read More
Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
The only way to become a writer is to write.... Read More
If you are looking for copywriter books, you'll want to... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
Great writing transports one vicariously to realms that the reader... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Quite a few years ago, I enrolled in a Degree... Read More
How to avoid mistakes that undermine your credibilityYou're probably already... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
All sales begin with some form of advertising whether it's... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide... Read More
Making Money from Freelance WritingIt's the question that every aspiring... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
I call it cheap therapy. That gushing, near-religious, poured-from-the-body stress... Read More
Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
The Big IdeaOkay. So youve figured out that you would... Read More
No matter what you are writing, the first priority is... Read More
Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More
You may not remember this, but in the early days... Read More
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More
Many of us have always wanted to write. We have... Read More
A poet isn't born; you must work at crafting your... Read More
Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More
Mix a martini, don't forget the olives, or pour yourself... Read More
In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Everone knows that comedy is mostly about timing. If you... Read More
1. What Is A Premise?A premise is the point you... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More
10 - You will always have a job. As long... Read More
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
If you have been online for any length of time... Read More
Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More
Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes... Read More
How many of you take the time to really write... Read More
There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More
----------------------------------------------------------Permission is granted for the below article to forward,reprint, distribute,... Read More
The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More
I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More
Writing |